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Thursday 23 November 2006

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Britain begins talks on Iraq troop withdrawal

The British Government has begun talking about a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq as a United Nations report has revealed that civilian deaths in the strife-torn country have hit a new high. The United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq has found that 3,709 civilians were killed in Iraq in just the last month, and has based its findings on statistics from Iraq's Health Ministry. The country's Health Minister, though, says the death toll is much lower and has accused the UN of illegally obtaining the information. But despite the violence in many parts of the country, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett says Britain's troops could be out of southern Iraq within four months.

Senior military commander voices concern over strain on US troops

One of the United States' most senior military commanders has warned that the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are putting an unreasonable strain on the US armed forces. The new head of the US Marine Corps says either the Defence Force should dramatically increase its recruiting levels or fewer Marines should be sent to war. General James Conway made his comments as both the US President and the Vice President prepare to head overseas for talks on the future of Iraq and the US role there.

Nelson discusses possibility of troop withdrawal from Iraq

Australia's Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, has been talking in Melbourne about the latest casualty figures from Iraq, and whether Australia might develop a similar strategic plan to that of Great Britain for troop withdrawal.

Welfare agency dismisses Govt welfare reform initiative

A national welfare agency has dismissed the Federal Government's latest initiative on welfare reform as "populist impractical rubbish". Federal Cabinet has approved a plan to hold back up to 40 per cent of welfare benefits granted to some families, to ensure that it's spent on essentials like rent and food and not on gambling, drugs or alcohol. But while it's a Federal initiative, the job of identifying those families affected would fall to state-based child protection agencies. And the Federal Opposition says the States will see this as a "cynical ploy" by the Government.

US expert highlights need for Aust police to undergo cultural change

A US policing expert says Australia could learn a lot from New York's aggressive crackdown on crime a decade ago. Professor Eli Silverman is in Australia to talk to local police, lawyers and other criminal justice professionals about the New York experience. He says the Australian police, especially those in New South Wales, need to undergo cultural and institutional change if they're to cope with the policing demands of the 21st century.

Celebrity chef runs for Parliament under new electoral system

When voters cast their vote for the state's Upper House in Saturday's Victorian election, they'll do so for the first time under a new proportional representation system. And political analysts are predicting that the new system will see minor parties or independents holding the balance of power. Among the independents running for Parliament is celebrity chef Stefano de Pieri.

Russian police face abuse allegations

Amnesty International has accused Russian police and jail officials of routinely beating and torturing prisoners. A new report from the human rights organisation documents dozens of cases where suspects have been hit or suffocated to extract confessions. Amnesty says it also suspects rape has been used in the interrogation of suspects. Russian authorities have responded that they investigate all reports of torture.

Guantanamo film subject barred by Australian authorities

The movie, The Road to Guantanamo, opened in Australian cinemas this week, but the British man on whom the film is based has been barred by Australian authorities from travelling here to promote it. Former Guantanamo Bay detainee Ruhal Ahmed has been deemed a security risk by ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation). The film is about the controversial US detention facility in Cuba where Australian, David Hicks, is still being held. And Mr Ahmed, who was released from the US facility after pressure from the British Government, says both he and David Hicks were tortured, and that any admissions of guilt made by the Australian should be ignored.

Rabbits putting albatross at risk, environmentalists warn

Environmentalists are warning that a bureaucratic blame-game will see Australia lose a key bird species. They say the grey-headed albatross will be lost from Macquarie Island if rabbits are not removed from the area.

Federal Govt to promote switch to digitial television

It's time to switch off that clunky old analogue television and make the switch to the widescreen wonders of digital. That's a message you'll be hearing more of today as the Federal Government attempts to force the pace of change from the old system of delivering television signals to the new.

Palaeontologists uncover monster fish remains

Two amateur palaeontologists have unearthed the remains of a prehistoric monster fish in the centre of Australia. And the swordfish-like discovery has forced a complete re-examination of how marine life developed in the age of the dinosaurs.